Travelers and Wanderers around the Universe

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Volleyball season has come to an end. They had their last game last week against the rival school. They won but it was a very close game, the other team were very good as well. These photos were taken during their picture day for both of the volleyball teams at St. Joe's.

Daughter was wearing a green shorts, when we came to the gym, most of her teammates wearing black so she had to go back home and changed although she didn't have to but she felt out of place.

I'm glad she changed because the legging looks better than the shorts anyway. When she came out of her room wearing the shorts, I asked her if she really wants to wear a shorts and she told me yes but when we arrived in the gym, she felt the need to change lol.

While waiting for the other's to finish, I took the chance to take pictures of them.

Here's with coach Mike and Mrs. Velegol.

Somehow, all of them except my daughter,moved when I took the shot so only my daughter had a clear face and all of them have a hazy ones. It looks pretty neat how it turned out though.

I always bring my camera during picture day even though there is a professional photographer there because I love capturing extras that I can save in my own folder.

This season seems so short. They only had few weeks and it was all over.

Not sure why they feel the need to dub but I guess it's a new thing for these young minds.

The close friends posed for fun.

It's nice when you see your children gets along very well with other kids.

I had to capture a shot of my son and his friends. They will be playing volleyball too next year. Hopefully, our son would join the basket ball again since we have a basketball hoop now in our backyard. He felt intimidated by the other players when he tried out so he did not go back to practice.

Sports is a really good thing for children. It keeps them on their tiptoe shape and it gets them moving. My son is looking forward to starting the football season again this year.

Monday, April 24, 2017

Australia has been consistent in being one of
the top travel destinations in the world. It offers plenty of activities to do
and sights to see for all visitors from all over the world. Spending your vacation with your family and friends here is worth it as you explore
this stunning country.

Canberra, the beautiful capital city of
Australia, is home to heavenly tourist spots, breathtaking view, exciting
outdoor activities, and diverse culture. Most people think that the capital of
Australia is Sydney, but it's not. Sydney is simply more popular than Canberra,
nevertheless, the latter is a striking city. In addition, it is surrounded by a
great number of farmland, nature reserves, and forest, gaining its Bush Capital
nickname.

Apparently, visitors can also choose DriveNow car hire in Canberra to explore the entire city with full comfort.
Nothing beats discovering a new place for the first time conveniently and
stress-free. Thus, renting a vehicle will help you save more time and money.
Book one ahead of time and enjoy every minute you are in this city.

Listed below are some of the amazing
destinations you have to visit when in Canberra:

National Gallery of Australia

Known as the national art museum of Australia,
National Gallery of Australia is one of the largest art museums in the country.
It houses more than 166,000 marvelous art pieces, which every visitor will
appreciate. Absolutely, all art lovers will have a great time visiting this
gallery because it displays remarkable works of art as well as holds exhibits
that everyone will have something to gain from.

Australian War Memorial

Grab the chance to check out the Australian
War Memorial once you are in Canberra. It is Australia's national memorial to
every individual from its military who have died and participated in wars. You
will see an awe-inspiring museum as you enter. The primary purpose of this
memorial is to remember the Australian experience of war and its effect on the
whole society. It is something you should not miss, for you will learn more
about the country's history.

National Arboretum Canberra

One of the popular historical destinations in
Canberra is the National Arboretum Canberra. It is a 250-hectare botanical
garden that houses 104 forests of rare, endangered, and significant trees from
Australia as well as the different parts of the world. This is mainly the
reason why it is regarded as one of the world's largest living collections of
uncommon and symbolic trees.

This gorgeous capital city of Australia is
truly a must-visit. Choosing Canberra as your travel destination for your most
awaited holiday getaway will be worth your time, money, and effort. There are
tons of things you can do and see while here, so you better make the most out
of your vacation.

You can add these historical spots mentioned
above on your itinerary once you have decided to spend your time off in this
engaging city. Hence, plan your trip properly and create good memories with
your loved ones that you will treasure a lifetime.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

A paradise for people who are in love with
history, art and architecture, Rome will never disappoint you whenever you
visit this one of the most beautiful places on earth. The old architectures are
something to admire and there are thousands of sites to explore. Additionally,
there are several other interesting and exciting things to do too when you are
in Rome. Want to know what are the most exciting things to explore during your
Rome vacation? Let’s take a look into some of the most interesting things that
you can explore here.

This is like a must to do kind of thing when
you visit Rome taking benefit of SaveMyPocketas it is one of the grandest architectures on
the planet.

The things to explore:

The Colossus amphitheatre built during the
Roman Empire could hold more than 50,000 people at one time. Although, there
are ruins left now, but even with the broken architecture, the stadium looks
really impressive.

Take a tour both inside and outside the
Colosseum and do not forget to book your tickets beforehand. There are hundreds
of tourists who visit this piece of history daily.

Gaze into
the sky inside the Pantheon

Pantheon is another iconic building in Rome
and the architectural beauty will leave you spellbound.

The things to explore:

In fact, it is the largest concrete dome that
has ever been built and it is massive. Visit the Pantheon and gaze heavenwards.
The feeling is definitely heavenly.

Check out the statues and other stone carved
items that are inside and have a surreal time here.

Trevi
Fountain

A trip to Rome would go incomplete if you do
not visit the Trevi Fountain.

The things to explore:

It is one of the most visited tourist spots
and you will get to know so much more about the mythological characters of
Rome. Best thing to do would be to take a tour around and do not forget to take
a guide along.

Also, throw coins in the fountain. Who knows,
you can get your wish fulfilled.

Explore the
Vatican

Explore the entire Vatican City can take quite
some time. Keep a separate day to visit this place.

The things to explore:

You will get to see the works of Michelangelo and
other artists here. Start your day by visiting the Piazza di San Pietro and
then move on to the many museums that Vatican has. The antique sculptures, old
master paintings and Raphael Rooms will take you back in time.

If you want to get some solace, then pay a
visit to Castel Sant’Angelo. You will never get bored by the beauty that
surrounds Vatican.

St.Peter’s
Basilica

This is like the epicenter of Rome and another
must visit place that you simply cannot afford to miss.

The things to explore:

If you
love light treks, then try reaching the top of the dome. You will find many
fellow tourists enjoying this trek. Climb all the 323 steps and when you are on
top, you will get a panoramic view of Rome’s beautiful landscape.

Do not forget to take your camera along
because you will not want to miss the view for one second.

Many may say that Rome is for historians and
budding architects, but as a general tourist, you are bound to fall in love
with this place. So, plan your Rome vacation right today using Expedia.comand get ready to explore the bunch of exciting
things that it has for you in it store. After all, the history and beauty that
Rome has is incomparable to any other city.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Hubby and I were talking about his Dad last night. It has been a month since his Dad passed and we thought of him and all the kindness and wisdom he taught us. Coming here in the US wasn't very easy for me especially when I first got here because my husband was still in the service and my FIL made me feel at home and I will be forever grateful for that. The photos below was taken in March 10, the day my husband came home from work to say his final goodbye to Dad.

I was attending a school mass on that day because my children wanted me there. They sang in the choir and EJ read as well. It was a special mass since the Bishop came and deliver the homily.

In his homily, he reiterated the importance of smiling. He said that when you smile, the world smile back at you, which is true.

I am glad that we were able to send our children to a catholic school. Faith is a big part of our family and we want our kids to incorporate that in their daily lives.

If your journeys to the vets with your cat in tow bear close resemblance to the soundtrack from a slasher film, this is the guide for you. Cats are notoriously bad at car travel, with yowling, shrieking, hissing, and occasionally vomiting, all the way to the location - it’s just one of their odd little nuances. Without resorting to heavy sedation, it can be tricky to see how you can make this easier on your furry friend, but it is totally possible.

Get them used to their travel environment

First things first, they need to feel comfortable in their travel environment. If you take them in a crate, it needs to be cozy and familiar. Rather than keeping it tucked away in storage, try keeping it in an area she uses frequently. While she’s unlikely to climb in for a nap, she’s less likely to react with utter repulsion the next time you get it out for vet time. It’s also a great idea to use soft furnishings that she is used to inside the crate. Before you set off, put some of her personal bedding in, and even one of your own, worn t-shirts to act as a reassuring scent.

When a cat gets too hot, they can start to get very stressed and upset. In a crate in a hot car, perhaps in direct sunlight, they could be getting hotter than you realize. Ensure their crate is in the shade, even if it means hanging a towel over the window, and try to keep the air conditioning on for the duration of the journey - it’s better that they’re on the cool side.

Bring out the stress remedies

Just like humans with a phobia of flying, there are remedies which work for cats too. A Feliway diffuser in your car before you set off can really help - it’s filled with pheromones which cats find reassuring. Putting a couple of drops of Rescue Remedy for pets in her water bowl for a few hours on the lead up to the journey can also help her to feel relaxed as you set off.

Your furry friend will be reassured by your presence when they’re in a situation that they feel is stressful. In the few hours before the journey spend some extra time cuddling and playing together so they go into the crate feeling extra love, and then stay nearby, preferably within eye line, for most of the journey. They’ll associate the sight of your with love and safety, and that feeling should help them to get through the stress of the scary situation.

Let them hear your voice

Not only is the sight of you reassuring, but the sound of your voice and the odd stroke through the bars of the cage can be really helpful for keeping them calm. Rather than putting the radio on, chat or even sing to them while you drive. Use soft, reassuring tones - you can even meow back at them occasionally if you like. It isn’t recommended that you allow your cat to roam within the car as they can cause all sorts of potential hazards, but your voice and occasional touch should help them to feel comforted.

Remember, the more you do it, the easier it will get for them. If you have long car journeys ahead, try a few trial runs on the lead up so they can get used to the feeling of being in transit.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Riding a bike is, for
many kids, one of the first real tastes of independence they get. Cycling
allows them to have more control over when and how they travel to visit
friends, meet up at places that interest them, or go and do their favorite
activities, rather than having to rely on getting a ride from parents or using
public transport. It is also a fun activity in itself that lets them enjoy the
good weather, get some exercise, and have fun riding around with their friends.
There are other benefits to letting your childexplore or travel to places they go to regularly on a bike – it can help them learn more about the roads,
which will help when they come to learn to drive, and if they learn to love
cycling, they may choose it more in later life as an environmentally friendly
way to get around.

Many of us have some
great memories of riding bikes in the summer months in our own childhoods, but
of course, a lot of things have changed
and there is a general perception that things aren't as safe as they used to
be. This doesn't mean your kids shouldn't get to enjoy cycling, but it is
important to talk to them about how to stay safe when they do.

Teach Them to Plan Safe Routes

In general, it is best
to teach kids to stick to routes they know and where there are good provisions
for cyclists. Older kids with more experience getting around on bikes could be
shown how to find good cycling routes to places they have not ridden to before
using tools like Google Maps. Show them how to use the GPS on their cell phone
and the Google Maps app if they don't already know, as this will help them
avoid getting lost.

Gear

Your child should
always wear a cycling helmet and ensure their cell phone is fully charged
before they go out for a ride, in case they need to call you if they get into
trouble or use the internet to help them if they are lost. As well as this,
some other gear may be important to help them stay safe. A light on their
bicycle and reflective clothing are important if your child is old enough to
ride after dark, but can be good to have anyway in case of emergencies. It can
also get very hot cycling in summer, so make sure you get them the best stainless steel water bottle, which can clip onto their bike, and remind them to fill it before they go out.

Safety in Numbers

While not always
possible, remind your child that it is always safer to cycle with other people
and that they should never go off anywhere on their own without telling someone
where they are going and making sure they have a way to contact you if they
need to.

These things, in
addition to standard road safety and rules about staying safe when out and
about in general (such as not talking to strangers), can help your child to
enjoy their freedom on their bike this summer while staying safe.